In a significant boost to African-led philanthropy, BEEMAC Food Group LLC, founded by Nigerian-born entrepreneur Chief Ben Ephie and his wife Menu, has made a transformative $80,000 donation to The Belinga Foundation. Based in the United States, the couple’s contribution marks the largest single donation received by the foundation to date and signals a new chapter in its cross-border engagement.
More than a financial gesture, the donation strengthens the foundation’s capacity to expand its programs and deepen its transnational footprint, particularly in Nigeria and the United States, where the organization has recently launched initiatives in Fort Smith, Arkansas.
Funding Designed to Multiply Impact
Active in the fields of art and culture, health, education, and sustainable development, The Belinga Foundation views the funding as a catalyst rather than an endpoint. Anchored in a philosophy of multiplier effects, the foundation plans to deploy the resources in ways that generate long-term, scalable impact across communities.
Nigeria—already a strategic partner following the invitation of a Nigerian delegation to the most recent Bia So Mengong Festival—stands among the key beneficiaries, alongside emerging initiatives in Arkansas, where the foundation is strengthening its presence.
From Vision to Action: Beyond Borders
The donation resonates powerfully with the theme of the 4th edition of the Bia So Mengong Festival, held in July 2025 under the banner “Beyond Borders.” While the festival highlighted cultural exchange and regional cooperation, this contribution gives concrete form to that vision, enabling the foundation to translate dialogue into sustained action through cross-national programs and inter-state collaboration.
Transparency and Strategic Stewardship
Transparency remains central to the foundation’s governance model. Each initiative supported by the donation will be closely monitored and evaluated to ensure accountability and measurable outcomes—underscoring the belief that modern philanthropy must be both ambitious and responsible.
A Blueprint for African Philanthropy
The partnership also illustrates how private enterprise and civil society can align to amplify social impact. BEEMAC Food Group LLC operates multiple Long John Silver’s and A&W franchise restaurants across Arkansas, from Little Rock to Fort Smith, collectively serving nearly four million customers. Within this scale, corporate social responsibility is not peripheral but integral to the company’s ethos.
By combining financial resources, local expertise, and a shared strategic vision, The Belinga Foundation and BEEMAC Food Group LLC offer a compelling model for contemporary African philanthropy—one that truly moves beyond borders to generate lasting, multiplied impact.
© Preston Kambou
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